Keyboard mechanism for cash-registers.



E. J. VON PEIN.

KEYBOARD MECHANISM FOR CASH REGISTERS. APPUCATION mm MAR. n. 1915.

1,242,280. Patented Oct. 9, 1917.

4 SHEETS-SHEET l.

l snow/do? vvntmcaoeo gdward Uon ezn E. J. VON' fElN.

KEYBOARD MEQHAMSM FQH CASH BEGSIERS.

APPLICATION FILED ma. 1:. H1151 1,242,280. Patented Oct. 9,1917.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

r a z l (FaiwWein 5. 3. JON PEIN.

KEYBOARD MECHANISM FOR CASH REGISTERS.

APPLICATION men ma. n. I915.

1,242,280. Patented Oct. 9, 1917.

4 snins-snsn'a.

alive who:

fidward I Uan ezn Cltfor 1101 E. 1. vow Palm KEYBOARD MECHANISM FOR CASH REGISTERS.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. ll. ISIS.

Patented Oct. 9, 1917.

4 SHIETS-SHEET 4.

anucnfo'a award I on. Pam

G Hoznmgo UNrrED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDWARD J. VON rem, or narrow, onto, ASSIGNOB TO THE NATIONAL CASH REGISTER eommmr, or DAYTON, QHIOHA'CORPORATION or omo, (INCORPORATED In 1906.)

xnvnoannmnfonamsm FOR. CASH-REGISTERS.

To all whom it may concern: I

Be it known that I, EDWARD J Von, Pam, a citizen of the United. States, residing at Dayton, in the county of Montgomery and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Keyboard Mechanismifor Cash-Registers, of which I declare the following to be afull, clear, and. exact description. E

This invention relates to accountingnnachines and the like and more particularly to the control of the differential mechanism thereof. 1 I

In, the illustrative-form ,of embodiment disclosed herein the invention ,is shown applied to the well known type of machine shown and described in Letters Patent of the United States, No. 580,378, issued April 13, 1897, to Cleal and-Reinhard. Although it is shown applied to this type of machine, it is obvious that the invention may beem ployed in similar types of machines included in the same general class, the machines of this class being provided ,with depressible keys to control the difl'erential mechanism of the machine. In machines of this general .class, it is usual to provide one bank of keys to r each denomination represented in the machine; that is, one bank for each differential unit;, controlling an accounting element.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a keyboard and'difl'erential mechanism for cash registers or analogous machines by means of which a single bank of keys may be employed to control either similarly or differentially a plurality of actuating mechanisms at the same time. i

In key controlled cash registers and analogous machines adapted to the entry of individual items, it is customary to provide a separate bank of keys for each deuominational actuator, each actuator being controlled independently by its appropriate bank of keys. 1

By the employment of the present invention in machines of that type one'bank'of keys may be employedvto control the actuators or differential mechanism appropriate to two denominational orderstbus reducing the space required by two banks of keys.,

In other types of machinesconstructed for computing thedifl'erence between two given amounts sucbjas in subtracting ma- Specification of Letters Patent.

chines or change computingv machines, or in mach nes adapted to record two associated amounts such as cost and selling prices or stock number or quantity and selling price or amount tendered and amount of sale, separate ,banks of keys are provided for recording the separate amounts.

, By theen ployment of, the present invention in machines of that type, one bank of keys such as shown in the present application may be provided for each denominational order and will.thus be adapted to control two actuators of that order, one for one of the given amounts and the other for the other of the given amounts. In such a use both amounts are set up on the same key banks. This it will readily be seen, will eliminate the necessity of providing separate banks of keys for separate amounts.

.It is thought that the present invention is the first in the artato provide a machine employing denominational banks of keys so constructed as to render each bank capable of controlling a plurality of differential mechanisms.

It is further thought that this invention is the first in the artto provide a single bank of keys controlling a plurality of actuators,

said keys being capable of operation in' groups operable inany order and determining by their order of operation the actuator to be controlled by each. key.

It may, therefore, be briefly stated that the principal object of this invention was to construct the key hanks so that the keys of each bank are capable of performing the functions formerly accomplished by two banks of keys. It is obvious that the employment of one bank of keys instead of two requires less space and greatly reduces the cost of construction.

It was an incidental object of this invention to construct the key banks so that a ke} in a bank is depressed but once when, in the Patented'Oet. 951917, Application filed March 11, 1915. Serial No. 15 A y form of embodiment of which is hereinafter I described with reference to, the @draiw'ui s which accompany .and Ham i'paflt .of t e specification.

- O.f said drawings:

Figure 1 is .e trajnsverse vertical section through the mechinebeing tiiken along the left side of a key bank donning-the subject matter of the present invention. ,;Fvig.;2 shows-detail -views of thevlatqh mechanism for the tens differential mechanism.

Fig. 3 is a, transverse vertical section through the machine; beingtltk'en along "the right side'of the supportingifrdmeshoivn in %ig. 4 is adetail'vie'w of the-detent-pla'te operated by manuel depression of the 'keys.

Figs5 is'e detailviewof *the' combined depressing and detent' plate =operalted 'by the ma'i'n fo'pe'rtititlg mechanism linder the contrplo'f the keys. y 1

i Fig. 6 is h partia'l detsil vievv of the key frst'iie 'tvith but two of the keys shown.

Fig. "7 is "a deteil 2 frontview "(if 'the indieating and totalizing mechanisms controlled by the-bunk oIf' keys-shown inlFig's. 1 and 3.

Fig. 8 is alletliil sideview of the meehzn n'ism for coupling "thetotalizing wheels to the diflereiitisil 'metins,

Fig. "9 is a detailseetionnl view' tnken through the bank of keys. The =section -is taken 'along thelower side of i the key-shown.

In the sleeve descri bed drawings I only 1 the units and tns'lrey bank 'is shown, as the banks oflfhigher orders are duplicatesend the deseription df one bank'dsconsidered suflicient to the understanding of the i invention. "It is obvious, (ifcoursm that one or more ofith'e key b anks constructed according to'the-presentinvention may be nsed,if desired, in a machine having a numberof ordinary key banks each of'whichrepresents but i one de'nominn tion. It is i also "obvious that a bankof'keys, such avsshownym'ey he provided for each denomination and eaeh of th'e two -act1mtors be assigned to different items so as to permit 'of two amounts being registered on a. single set of lreys at the same time, such *as cost a1id-selling" prices or a mmints of tender' 'and sale.

In thepreferred form of embodimentiiis- -closed herein the keys are depressible to three different positions which for the sake of convenience may 'be called the inner, intermediate and-outer positions. lfibut one key inthe bank is depressed it is arrested in its intermediate position, and controls both the units and tensdifl'erential mechanisms, these two mechanisms insuchcases "being moved to the same extent. "If two keys are "depressed in suceessionghowever, the=first key is arrested-in the'intermediate position :mdthe'second'keyis arrested in its onter positionqn-nd then npon operation 'of*the machine, the first depressed -key is automatically depressed irom itsintermedijate-ito its..in11er-position. 1 When two keys .are .depressed the first always controls the tens differential mechanism .and $116 .SQCQnd controls the units "difi'erential mechanism. -To control the extents ofdepression of the .keys, twoqdetents a re provided. One of these detents is employed to retain a single depressed key in its intermediate depressed position and to retain the second of two depress'ed' keys in its outer depressed position, while the other combined depressing and detent plate is operated during the operation "of the machine, 'if*two"keys are depressed, to' effect movement of the first depressed of 'thetwo keys "from its intermediate to its inner position. The --two di-lferentizil mechanisms -eontrolled by the' b'ank of keys are similar to "*that shown and described'in the above mentioned Cleal and Reinhard -;patent. The

unitsidifierentiel mechanism includes a pawlwhich =erigages "the pin 'on- :r key iin the intermediate or outer position of Bthe latter while the tens differential mechanism car- "ries a pawl which engages the'pin one key Wllflfl the letter is in its intermediate or inner position. l he engagement of these pawlsdimits-the extentof'movement of the differential mechanisms as fullyldescribed in the 'Cleal mid Reihherd patent.

"Deserlbedlin specific termsmhekeys :10 of ibu'nk ('l* igs.'l,=3=ond (Dare-mounted in a 'key"frame-comprising two parallel plates fll'between Whichthe keysure mounted. The key bank comprises ten keys arranged .in numerical order, the bottom one being the 0""key aud*the'uppermost one the-9 key. 'Thekey frame is rigidly mounted on-m machine frame 12, the upper-end -ni' the' key frame being n'iounted 011 thc: left hand side of thefna-me12 as shown in:l*ig. '3,=wvhile1the lowerend of the keyfrnme is supported in :1, -rod18 which passes'throughthe loweriforturd portion of the frame 12, ItilllS .portion being constructed: to pass! between the plates =11. Each'plaite lllhas t-vvorro'ws of (slots 13 nnd'M and pins Ion-ml l6, whichiproject from both :sides-o'f the keys-puss through the slets 13 :and i4 respectively in both plates. Eaeh'key, asshowninihigs. lnandli, carries nn npertu-red lug v17, through the -=epert1-1re of whieh the upperwend ofl a corresponding-rod 18 projects. "The-i innerenlarged sends of i the rods "18 :have \recesses which engage over pins 19 projecting 'from one of the 'plates 11. Springs .a-re v coiled about theq'odsm and serveuuormully to retain the keys in undepressed position and to return the keysnvhen depressed to=-such-position' Klu ring the operation iof the machine,

as isw'ell k-nown in' the art.

A detent 22(Figs. 1 nuclei) comprises a. plate Q3 first -on the outer BIHlSVQfi the two nuns of a lever 24, which iswlooselywmounted on a rock shaft 25, supported by the frames of the machine. A second detent 26 (Figs. 3 and 5) comprises a plate 27 mounted on theou'terends of the arms of a lever 28 also loosely mounted on the shaft 25'. The plate 23'of detent 22 is provided withftwo series of grooves 30 and 31, there being o'ne'groove in each series for each ke The detent plate '23 is normallyin such position that whenakey 10 is depressed the left hand end of the pinl15 on the key nioves into its corresponding groove 30., The grooves 30 are so constructed that when a key is depressed it rocks the detent 22 counter clockwise about one-half of its full extent of movement, against the action of a spring 32 (Fig. 1), which is connected at one end to a rearwardly and downwardly extending arm 33 of the detent 22 and at its opposite end to a rod between the'machineframes 12. A retaining bar 35 (Fig. 1) for holding the detent in" moved position, is forked at its rear end over the shaft 25 and at its forward end is provided with a'slot 36 through which a pin on the key frame passes to guide the bar in its reciprocation. The retaining bar 35 (Figs. 1 and 4) has three shoulders 37 on the lowest one of which the lower end of the detent plate 23 normally rests. When the detent 22 is moved, in the manner above described, its lower end is elevated to an extent suilicient to permit :tspring 38 to move the retaining bar 35 rearwardly (to the left in Fig. l) to carry the middle or next higher shoulder 37 under the lower end of the detent plate 23 and thereby retain the detent 22 in'its moved position. As best seen in Fig. 4-, the middle shoulder 37 is inclined downwardly and rearward so that as the retaining bar moves rearwardly the shoulder raises the detent 22 slightly further than it was raised by the depression of the key. When the detent 22 is moved to the position just described, the pin 15 on the depressed key .is relative to its groove in the position shown in full lines and indicated by the reference numeral'34 in Fig. 4.

It can be seen that as the retaining bar 35 retains the detent 22in itsmoved position the groove 30 cotiperating with the pin 15 on the depressed key retains the key in this position, the detent 22 is raised slightly further by the middle shoulder 37 on the retaining bar 35, as above'described, so that the pin on the key, when the operator removes his finger, enga es the side of the groove just below the ower inclined edge 'of the groove for the purpose of insuring that thepin will'be retained in its exact-pomien, whichm'ight not be true because of wear or n'ot sufficiently fine adjustment of the parts it the pin engaged the inclined edge i' the groove wheuthe operator re moves his finger.

If but one key is depressed, it is retained scribed later. j The movement of the detent 22 by the depression' oflthe first of two depressed keys raises the grooves 31 so that when the second k ey depressed, its pin 15enters its corresponding groove 31. 'These grooves 31 are so constructed that upon depression of the second key the detent 22 is given a second extent of movement whereupon the retaining bar 35 is moved still further rearwardly by the spring 38 to carry the uppermostshoulder 37 on the retaining bar under the lower end of the detent 22, thereby lockingthe detent in its fully elevated position. The uppermost shoulder 37 on the retaining bar 35 is also inclined downwardly and rearwardly so that the detent 22 is raised by the second rearward movement of the retaining bar slightly further than it was moved by the engagement of the pin on the key with the inclined portion of the groove 31. Each groove 31 has a set-ofi' formed in its lower inner end so that when the detent 22 is raised slightly further by the uppermost shoulder 37 on the retaining bar 35 the lower side of the pin on the depressed key is seated in the set-oft in its corresponding groove. In this position of the detent 22, the pin 15 on the second key depressed is retained relative to its groove 31 in the position indicated in Fig. 4 by the dotted lines marked -10 and the pin 15 on the first depressed key is relative to its groove 30 in the position indicated at 41 in section in Fig. 4.

During the operation of the machine the first depressed key is automatically depressed still further to its inner position. as above stated, by the following described mechanism, and in this position of the key its pin 15 is retained, relative to its groove 30, in the position indicated by the heavy lines marked 42 in Fig. 4.

The detent 22 carries a pin 43 (Fig. 1) which projects into a slot formed in an arm 4-4 fast on one end of a stub shaft 45 mounted in the key frame. As shown in Fig. 3. an arm 46 is fast on the opposite end of the shaft 45 and at its lower end the arm 46 carries a pin 47 which projects into a slot 39 formed in the forward upper end of a pitman 48. The pitman 48, at its forward lower end, is provided with a slot 49 surrounding a pin on the detent 26 and at its rear end the pitman is slotted tostraddle a main drive shaft 51. A spring 52, which is secured at one end to a projection 53 on the pitnmn l-Sand at its opposite end to the pin 47 on the arm 46 serves normally to re tain the pitman in its forward position shown in Ifig. When the first of two keys is depressed the pin 43 on the detent 22 is rnised in the slot. in thearm 44 about onehalf the length of the slot, but this portion the slotin which the pin 43 moves at this time is concentric to the shaft so that the movement of the pin 43 does not rock arm 44. When the second key is def pressed, however, the pin 43 is raised into engagement with the upper end of the slot in the arm ale to rock the arm 44: nd shaft 45 clockwise. as viewed in Fig. 1. In this n ranner the arm 46 is moved connter clockwise, as viewed in Fig. 3, to move the. pitman 48 rearwardly.

The pitinzin 48 carries t its rear end a roller which is normally insu ch position that a cam ridge 56 formed on the right hand face of a disk 57, rigidon the shaft 51. moves behind the roller 55 during the opera.- tion of the machine. The shaiit 51 is rotated in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 3. The means for rotating this shaft is not shown in the drawings as such means is not necessary to the understanding of the drawings and it is obvious that any desired means, such as :1 crank handle, motor, or other means, may be employed for the purpose. When the pitman -18 is moved rearw'ardly upon the depression of the second of two depressed keys as above described the roller 55 is moved rearwardly and upon operation of the machine, the cam ridge 56 niovcsin front of the roller 55. During such operation the cam. portion 58 of the ridge engages the roller 55 to move the pit man 48 still further rearwzirdly, the slot and pin connection 39 and 47 being provided to permit. this second rearward movement of the pitnmn independently of the arm 46. \Vhen the pitninn 48 is moved rear wardly by the secopd depressed key the forward end of the slot 4!) in the pitman is moved .1 into engagement with its pin on the detent 2Q so. that when the pitman is moved still further rearivurdly during the operation of: the machine the detent 26 is rocked clock wise as viewed in, Fig. 3, about the shaft 25. The detent 96 is rocked in this way against the tension of its spring 59 which is connected at one end to a downwardly and rearwnrdly extending arm 60 of the detent and at its opposite end to the rod supported by the machine frame 12.

The plate 27 of the detent 26 (Figs. 3 and. 5.) is provided with camming and locking lugs or projections 62 on its left hand side there being one lug for each key. The detent is normally in such a position that the pin. 15. on the, first of two depressed keys passes between two lugs 62 to its intermediate position ipdicated by the full lines 31 in Figs. l and 5. The pin on the second de- 6 pressed lrey, if two keys are depressed, is not Jw'!. ',q 1l 'Zq the e he h y. is no 51 pressed to the same extent ts the first key, the pin the seoqndkey in the. B051- mn nlis ed, ir hs s ott d m s. mask 59, It is eb ess he when he 9 M52 is op rat as e re e e i the e t e e fithe lui. .62. e the p. .1.-1 5. ,o1,1 the first d r sed ey, e ga s hi P1 an there mor t wi s f r B se hie RQ EJJQH elati e to. timid i tents ,2 and .1 d fi i fid by he eery ine evisi 111 es end-5.- I n be seen ha he end o the slot '30 inthe de n 22 1 radia w h this-sha 25 tie-p m the fu the d pression of; the first depresspdof two keys the lug 62 then engaging pin 15, of the first d pr sse key wiss t e in he key in t ene noei ee r m the bove describe stri e jon. it e. e s se tl et when. a. nsks? a epr sed. th .de nt Q s no Qp e eda h P tmen .8: remains n n rmal eesit an the ietqre he key is t ine t nte mediate n s t du ing the op at of naphine. If a. second key is depressed, however, it is retained in its outer n itionby t g Q- e 3 me in h d the pin loop the key at this time being relnjzivev tothe groove 31 in, the psition indipatednt it) in. Figs. 4 and 5. T ion illQSQCO L say. s; dep essed the detent. 22 is raised; to its uppegn ost position and in h spositi w the en hs pin 5 th first depressed key is in the position in the slot 30 indicatedat 41 in Fig. 4. As depr ss on. of hesecwdk y mos s. ep m n 48 reurwardly so thz tthelatteris operated by the com ridge. 5 .dl-lt ing the operation, of the maphine the detent 26 is raised to cause rthe en 'essi nnt th i t n ed key. the pin. 15 on thiskey then being in t 1e position indicated at ii? in Rigs. 4 and 5.

F he p pose f. prev ti g t e de n 22 from being raised more than one-half of its foil ditanee upon a violent or sudden depression of th first depressed key the grooves 30 are out form small stop projectiops .67, (Figs. 1 and 4,) Itcan be seen thot if a key was depressed suddenly the movement imparted to the detent 22 might be. sufficient to carry it tn the! npword than it should he moved by the key so that the pin on the key would then he in the enlarged or radial and of the slot. 30. The PFOLQCLIOIIS 67 however, preventsuch movement of the. detent as one. of these projectmn w u n ag h P 15 on t e ey, the pin at such time being in. engagement Wi hr S de of he groove 30 above the promotion 67. When the clerk or operator remopeshis finger f soin the. key, it moves lightly outwaizd nnder the influence of its spring, so, that its. pin 1.5. is in the position indicated at 34 in Fig. 4 so,tl ;1,t-if a second key lsdepressed, theprojectionm will pass by the pin so ,as to permit the latter to pass into the enlarged end of its groove 30.

The differential means controlled by the keys 'when in their different positions will now'be described. 1

Loosely mounted on the central shaft is a tens actuating segment gear 70 (Figs. land 7) and a units actuating segment gear 71 of like construction (Figs. 3 and 7). Each of these segment gears meshes with a corresponding gear 72, which in turn meshes with a pinion 73 rigid with a corresponding indicator drum 74. .The units gear 72 is rigidly mounted on a shaft 68 and the tens gear is fast on a sleeve '76 and this shaft "andsleeve attheir left hand ends carry type wheels (not shown) in a manner well known in the art and fully described and shownin the aforesaid Cleal and Reinhard patent. The tens segment gear on its left hand side ('Fig. 1) and the units segment gear 71 on its right hand side. (Fig. 3) carry similar latch mechanisms. Each latch mechanism. which is similar in principle to that shown and described in the aforesaid Cleal and Reinhard patent, comprises a latch bar 77 mounted on links 78 pivoted to the corresponding actuating segment gear. Two driving segments 79, one foreach actuating segment gear. are rigidly mounted on the central shaft 25 and are adapted to be connected to the corresponding segment gears 70 and 71 by the latch bars 77. The shaft 25 and the driving segments 79 are rocked clockwise about 90 degrees, as viewed in Fig. 1. and then rocked counter-clockwise, as viewed in this figure, past normal position and finally moved clockwise again to normal position, by means fully shown and described in the Cleal and Reinhard patent. Briefly, this means comprises an arm 99 (Fig. 3) fast on the shaft 25 and connected by a link 81 to a crank 32 fast on the. main drive shaft 51. \Vhen the driving segments 79 are rocked clockwise (Fig. I) from normal position their shouldi'rs 83 are carried opposite projections on the rear ends of the latch bars 77 whereupon springs 84 move the latch bars 77 rearwardly and at the same time a flange 98 on a rearwardly extending arm 85 on the tens driving segment 79 en gages the segments 70 and 71 to move the latter to zero position if they are not already in such position. The flange 88 on the arm 85 is suiliciently long to engage both the tens and units artuating segments, and each segment will he. picked up by it at the instant the latch bar 77. of the segment so pickedup, moves to engage in its appropriate shoulder 83.

During the counter clockwise movement (Fig. 1) of the segments 70 and 71 with the driving segments 79. the latch bars 77 are dra n forwardly rider the e ntrol of the keys to disconnect the segment gears 70 and 71 from the driving segments.

To this end two levers 8 each of which is pivoted to the corresponding segment gear 70 or 71, are bifurcated atthe upper ends of their vertical arms to straddle pins on the latch bars 77. At the outer ends of their forwardly extending arms each lever pivotally carries a pawl 90. Springs 91 normally tend to rock the pawls 9O clockwise as viewed in Fig. land counter clockwise as viewedin Fig. '3 but movement ofthe units pawl 90 ,(Fig. 3) is prevented by the engag ement of a projection 92 on the pawl with the circular rear edge of the detent plate 27 and this movement of the 'tens pawl (Fig. 1) is prevented by the engage ment of its projection 92 with the circular rear edge of the detent plate 23. The tens pawl 90 (Figs. 1 and 2) on its upper right hand side is provided with a lug or projection 93 and the units pawl 90 (Fig. 3) on its left hand side carries a similar projection 93. The rear edge of the detent plate 27 is of greater radius than that of the detent plate 22 and therefore the radii of the arcs described by the lugs 93 on the pawls 90 are different. For the sake of clearness keys 10 and pins 15 and 16 have been shown in their three moved positions in the three lower pairs of slots 13 and 14 in plate 11 in Fig. 6 and reference may be had to that view for a fuller understanding of the same.

When but one key is depressed in the key bank, its pin 15 during the operation of the machine'remains in its intermediate position and in this position the pin 16 is in the path of movement of the lugs 93 on both the units and tens pawls 90. If two keys are depressed then upon the operation of the machine the first depressed key is moved to the inner position by the detent '26, as already described, and in this position of the key its pin 16 is in the path of'movement of the lug 93 on the tens pawl. The pin 15 on the second of two depressed keys is retained in its outer position and in this position the pin 16 of said key is in the path of movement of the lug 93 on the units pawl 90. When the lug 93 on a pawl 90 engages a pin 16 on a depressed key the corresponding lever 87 rocked to move the latch bar 77 forwardly and thereby disconnect its a propriate actuating segment gear 70 or 1 from its driving segment as is well known in the art. Upon eing drawn forwardly the forward end of the latch bars enga e in notches 96 formed in the inner ed es 0 the plates 11 of the key frame. It is o vious, of course. that the lugs 93 are inclined at 95 (Fig. 2) so that if the pin 16 on a depressed key is in the path of movement of the and during clockwise movement (Fig. 1) o the actuating segment 70 or 71. to zero position the pawl ,JO'will be ranked counter clockwise (Fig. 1) .to permit movement of the segment'gear .70 or 71 to zero position the spring 91 serving to restore thepawl 90 to normal position as soon as it is past the pin onlthekey. From the above deseriptionit.

can be seen that both actuating segment gears areanoved differentially to the same extent when a single key is depressed and that the. tens actuating se ment .gearis moved under the control 0 the first depressed key and the nnit-s actuating seg mentgear is moved under the control of the second depressed keys when two keys are depressed:

If] zeros in the denominations represented by theikey bank occurvin an amount tobe} entered in, the. machine the OKkey, which is the lowest key in .the bank, might ,be de pressed, if desired, to disengagethe latch bars. 77 when the actuating segment g ears' are inzero position. However, in order to render the operation ofthe O -key in such cases unnecessary and also in cases where the amount entered .is less than the lowest denomination represented by a bank of keys is retained in normal position and hence when thesegmcnt gears 70 and Flare moved to zero position the .pawls {)0 are rocked counter clockwise (Fig. 1) by their engagement with the noses on the projections 97 until the noses on the pawls 90 pass the noses on the projections 97 whereupon the springs 91 return the .p-awls 90 to normal position relative to their carrying levers S7, at which time the noses on the projections 07 are over the noses on the pawls 90. It can be soon from this construction that if no keyinlthe bank is depressed the projections 07 will prevent elevation of the pawls 90 and hence operate the latches 77 to discon nectthc actuating segment gears from their driving segments 79. If a key is depressed, however, tl1e retaining bar is moved rearwardly, as above described, whereupon the noses on the projections 97 are carried out of normal operative position to permit movement of the actuating segment gears under the control of the depressed key or keys.

' After .the driving segments 79 have been moved to the position to which they carry the actuating segment gears when only a 9 key is depressed and before they complete their counter clockwise movement (Fig-1)the cam ridge 1 {and 3) on the disk .57 i Misses out ,of engagement with the roller (on the pi'tman "48 whereupon the spring 52 draws the pitman 48 ,fo'r,- wardly to the position to which it was moved npo'n V to 'permitthe detent to be'moved by spring 59 to its normaLPOSifiQli, whereupon the first depressed key is moved by itsisprin to its intermediate position andthe second depressed key', is moved to normalposition. Thennear the completionof the counter clockwise movement (Fig. 1) of, the driying segments. Q7912. shoulder or projection 100 on. the tens S'gmentengagias a pin 1 .1 on theretaining bar 35 to move the latter forwardly to normal position whereupon ,the springfig moves the detent 22 to normal position. -,to' .efl'ect (the release of }the keys" which are moved to norn aliundepressed positions by their springs. v

.'It is cnstomaryinmachines of the present type to provide means so that when a key is depressed in errorit can befreleas'ed before an operationof the machine is begun; This means ,comprisesa shaft 103 extending longitudinally across the forward lower portion of the machine and bearing pins 104; (Fig. 1) eachof which is normally out of engagement with a pin 105 on the forward end,of the corresponding retaining bar 35. \Vhen it;is desired to release an amount key before the operation of the machine is begun it is merely necessary :to move In hand lever 100 (shown in Fig. 3 and omitted in Fig.1) fast on the shaft 103, thereby rocking the shaft 1-03clockwise (Fig.3) so that the pins 104 ,engage'thepins 105 and draw the operated retaining bars 35 forwardly to carry either their intermediate or uppermost shoulders 37 from out of engagement with the lower end of the detent plates 23 thereby permitting release of the amount keys.

While it is obvious that the mechanism hereinhefore described is capable of many other uses as set forth in the very early part of the specification, the invention is here embodied .in a type .in which each actuator is appropriate to a difi'erentdenomination and the machine as illustrated is provided with a totalizer which is of the well known construction shown and described in the aforesaid Cleal andRcinhard patent. Referring to Figs. 7 and 8 a gear 108 is rigidly mounted on the shaft 68 on which is rigidly mounted the gear wheel 72 which meshes with the units actuator 71 and the pinion 73 on the units indicator drum. The gear 108 meshes with a pinion 109 to which is rigidly fastened-a, inion 1,10. A companion pinion 111 is rigidly connected to the units totalizer Wheel 112 by a short sleeve 125 surrounding a rod 121 and shown in dotted lines in Fig. 8, The gear 72 (Fig. 7) WhiCh depress on of the second key ,shaft 51.

meshes with the pinion rigid with the tens gether during the ditl'erentialmovement of the pinions 110 so that their movement will be imparted to the totalizer wheels, coupling pinions 11 4 (Figs. 7 and 8) are provided.

These pinions are carried on arms 115 rigidly mounted on a shaft 116. The shaft 116 carries an arm 117 connected as shown in Fig. 8 to a pitinan 118 which at its rear end is forked to straddle the main drive The pitman 118 also carries a roller 119 projecting in a cam groove formed in the face of a disk 129, fast on the drive shaft 51. This cam groove is so constructed as to rock the coupling pinions 114 into mesh with the companion pinions 110 and 111 so that the differential movement of the actuating segment gears and 71 will be imparted to the totalizer wheels. The

transfer mechanism which includes transfer pawls 123, carried by levers 124, is not fully shown or described herein. as such mechanism is well known in the art and its description is unnecessary to the understanding of the present invention.

It is thought that the above description is sufiicient for a complete understanding of this invention and therefore a detailed description of its operation will not be given here. Briefly, however, it may be stated that the keys are depressible to three difi'erent positions. If but one key is depressed, it is retained in intermediate position during the'operation of the machine and controls both the units and tens differential mechanisms and in such cases both of these differential mechanisms will be moved to the same extent. (Fig. 6.) If two keys are depressed the first depressed key is moved to inner position to control the tens differential mechanism and the second depressed key will be retained in outer posi tion to control the units differential mechanism. If the same digits occur in both de' nominations but one key is depressed. For example, if the amount is 66 only the 6 key is depressed and both the units and tens indicator drums will indicate 6 at the end of the operation of the machine. If the digits in the two denominations are different the key representing the digit in the tens denomination is depressed first. For in- In order to ,couple the pairs ofpinions 110 and 111 tostance, if 2 3 is to be registeredthe ,2 key,

is lirstdepressed and the1itl1e,3, key depressed. If units only are to be entered into the machine the 0 key is first'depressed and then the kevcorresponding to the digit is operated, For example, iff,5.ls

to be entered in the machine. the F0 ':key as first operated and then the ,"5.key is oper;

ated. On. the other handif 50 is tobe. en-

tered into the machine the 51 key rst operated and then the 0"? key 18 operated, If the tens to be registered are greater than the units as in,92, the 9,key is first depressed to control the tens dillertmtial mechanism and then the 2 key to control the units differential mechanism. y

It can, therefore, be seen from the above description that a key bank constructed ac cording to the present inventionis admirably adapted to accomplish the .functions' formerly obtained by two bankspf arresta able keys, as any amount ,which could formerly be entered in theinachine under the control of two key banks cannon be entered in the machine under the control of a single key bank.

Although the present invention is show as applied to amount keys. it is obvious that banks of-clerks, special, transactionorwaiters keys may be constructed, according to the present invention without departing from the scope of the present invention, It is, therefore, not intended to limitthe pres cut in vcntion to any particular class of keys or to any particular form of differential mechanism.

While the form of mechanism herein shown and described isadmirably adapted to fulfil the objects-primarily stated. it is to he understood that it is not intended to confine the invention to the one form of embodiment shown and described herein, as it is susceptible ofembodiment in various forms, all coming within the scope of the claims which follow.

What is claimed is:

1. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a main operating, mechanism,of a bank of depressible and arrestable keys, the bank representing a. pluralit) of denominations, a plurality of accounting elements one for each denomination represented by the bank of keys, and'difi'ercntial means for actuating one or-moreofthe accounting elements upon operation of the machine and under the control of the bank of keys.

2. Ina machine of the class described. the combination with a main operating mechanism, of a bank of depressible keys, a: restable in difl'erent positions, and representing a plurality of denominations. a pluralitv of accounting elements, one for each denomination represented by thebank of keys, and differential means for actuating one or more 1: f the aecgunting elements upon orie'ratipn I mach ie'and under the contrpl o'f the' jkeys' the if ferent positions of the lean,

3; In'ia machine of the class described, thh' ,i'mbipiition "with "a main operating mecllianisr' i bfabank of manually depressibjle keys firegntinga plurality of denoin'inatio S 'e ach, key being capable of being depressed utonce prellnnnarily to the operation ,of'the" mahine, accounting means re rese tin tliUflefiominations' corresponding tdtIZiose re'fresen' the bank of .keys, nd lili s; i l Jee s a r ea the ia us i set ll l Pe p! the machine and under the cpntro c said keys.

4. In a niachi'e'of-the class desc ribed,tl e combiiiation'if it ,a main operating mechamantra li anli'of depressible and arrestable keysirepre'sen'ting a plurality of denominatiqns,'aplurah y'of accounting elements, one for eachiden oihination represented by the longest keys, and a plurality of differential me ianisms,*one for each accounting element for actuating the latter under the control of saidkeys. A

5. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a main operating mechanism, of a bank bf keys rep'resenti ig a plurality of denominations an'cl'rnovable to different positions,"i neans for retaining said keys in such o's'itions, a plurality of acconnting elemen one for each denomination represented by'the bank of keys, and a plurality of d;i flerent mechanisms one for each atco'unting element and hontrolled by said keys in the different positions of the latter,

6. In a machineof the class described, the combination with a main operating mechanisin, of a bank of manually depressible keys representing a plurality of denominations and capable of being depressed but once preliminarily tothe operation of the machine, a plurality of accounting elements one for each denomination represented by said bank of keys, and differential mechanism for each accounting element and controlled by said keys upon operations of the machine.

7. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a main operating mechanism, of a plurality of accounting elements of different denominations, differential means for operating the accounting elements, drivingmeans for the differential means, a plurality of latching mechanisms for eoupling the difierential and driving means, and a bank of depressible and arrestable keys, representing denominations corresponding'to the accounting elements, for operating said latching mechanisms and thereby .contnol the extents of movement of said differential means.

8. In a machine of the class described, the cornbination'with a main operating mechawees nism, of a plural ty of accounting elements of different denominatlons, differentlal means for operating the accounting elements, driving neans'for the differential 9. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a main operating mechanism, 'of a plurality of accounting elm ments of different denominations, clifl'ereii tial means for operating the accounting elements, "driving means for the iflerential means, a plurality of latching mechanisms for coupling the differential and driving means, and a bank of depressible keys representing denominations corresponding to the accounting elements'and arrestable in different positions for operating said latching mechanisms and thereby control the extents of movement of said differentialm'eans.

10. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a main operating mechanism, of a plurality of accounting elements, differential means therefor, driving means for the differential means, latch means for coupling the differential and driving means, and a bank of 'dcpressible keys representing denominations corresponding to the accounting elements and arrestable in different positions 'for operating said latch means and thereby control the differcntial movement of said differential means.

11. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a bank of keys representing a plurality of denominations, each key being depressihlc to different positions which correspond to the denominations which the key is to represent upon the particular operations, and differential means controlled by the keys in their different positions.

12. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a bank of depressible keys representing two denominations, the keys being depressible to one position to represent one dcnomination, to another position to represent the other denomination, and to a third position to represent both denominations, and differential means controlled by said keys in the different positions of the latter. 4

13. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a bank of keys repre senting a plurality of denominations, each key being depressible to different positions which positions correspond to the denominations which the key is'to represent upon the particular operations thereof, and a plural ity of differential mechanisms, one for each denomination represented by the keys, each differential mechanism being controlled by a key when the latter is in the positioncorresponding to the denomination represented by the particular differential mechanism.

14. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a bank of depressible keys representing two denominations, the keys being depressible to one position to represent one denomination, to another osition to represent the other'denominatlon and to a third position to represent both denomii'iations, and two differential mechanisms both of which are controlled by a key when the key is inthe third mentioned position, while either is singly controlled by a keywhen the latter is in the position corresponding only to the denomination represented by the particular differential mechanism.

15. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a main operating mechanism, of two accounting elements, a differential mechanism for each accounting element, a latch for each differential mechanism for coupling the differential mechanisms and the operating mechanism, and a bank of keys representing a plurality of denominations, each key being movable to different positions, both latches being tripped by a key when the latter is in one position, one latch being tripped by the key when the latter is in another position and the other latch being tripped by the key when the latter is in a third position.

16. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a bank of keys representing different denominations, of two at:- counting elements, a differential mechanism for each element both differential mechanisms being controlled by one key if but one key is depressed while each differential is controlled by a separate key if two keys are depressed.

17. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a bank of keys, rcprcsenting different denominations, of two accounting elements, a differential mechanism for each element, driving means for the differential mechanisms. latches, one for each differential mechanism for coupling the differential mechanism and driving means, and a bank of keys representing denominations corresponding to the accounting elements, both latches being tripped by one key if but one key is depressed, and each latch being tripped by a. different key if two keys are depressed.

18. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a bank of keys representing different denominations, of two accounting elements, a differential mechanism for each element, both differential mechanisms being controlled by one key if but one key is depressed and a cflltflin one of said differential mechanisms being controlled by the first key depressed and the other being controlled by the second key depressed if two keys are depressed.

19. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a bank of keys representing different denominations, of two accounting elements, a differential mechanism for each element, driving means for the. differential mechanisms, latches, one for each differential mechanism for coupling the differential mechanisms and the driving means, and a bank of keys representing denominations corresponding to the accounting elements, both latches being tripped by one key if but one key is depressed, and a certain one of said latches being tripped by the first depressed key and the other latch being tripped by the second depressed key if two keys are depressed.

20. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a bank of keys, representing different denominations, of two accounting elements, a differential mechanism for each element both differential mechanisms being controlled by one key it but one key is depressed while each differential is controlled by a separate key if two keys are depressed, and means for preventing depression of more than two keys in the bank to control an operation of the differential mechanisms.

21. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a bank of keys, representing different denominations, of two a(: counting elements, a differential mechanism for each element, both differential mechanisms being controlled by one key it but one key is depressed and a certain one of said differential mechanisms being controlled by the first key depressed and the other being controlled by the second key depressed if two keys are depressed, and means for preventing depression of more than two keys in the bank to control the differential meclr anisms.

22. In a machine of the class described, the con'ibimition with a bank of keys, representing two different denominations and constructed so that one or two keys may be depressed, of indicating means for indicating digits in both of said denominations, and differential means for actuating said indicating means under the control of said keys so that when one key is depressed the same digits in the two denominations will be indicated and if two keys are depressed different digits in the two denominations will be indicated.

23. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a bank of keys manually depressible to differential positions, and means moved by the keys for controlling the extent of manual depression of said k ys,

Iii f) 2a. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a. bank of keys, depressible to different positions, and detent means for arresting the keys in their different positions and for controlling the extents of depression of the keys.

25. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a main operating mechanism, of a bank of keys a plurality of which are capable of being depressed manually todifi'erent positions preliminarily to an operation of the machine, and detent means for arresting the keysin their different positions and for controlling the extents of manual depression of the keys.

26. In a machine of the class described,

the combination with a main operating mechanism, of a bank of keys a plurality of which are capable of being depressedto. diilerent positions preliminarily toan opera tion of the machine, detent means for arresting the keysin their different positions and for controlling the extents of manual depression of the keys, and means for con trolling further depression of one of said keys upon operation of the machine.

27. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a main operating mechanism, of a bank of keys a plurality of which are capable of being depressed to diflcrent positions preliminarily to an operation of the machine, detent means for arresting the keys in their different positions and for controlling the extents of man no] depression of the keys, and means for disabling said detent means during the operation of the machine,

28. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a main operating mechanism, of a bank of keys one or two of which are capable of being depressed preliminarily to an operation of the machine, means for arresting the keys in their depressed positions, and means for causing upon operation of the machine further depression of one key if two keys have been depressed.

2D. In a machine of the class descrilied, the combination with a main operating, mechanism, of a bank of keys one or two of which are capable of being depressed preliminarily to an operation of the machine. means for arresting the keys in their depressed positions, means for causing upon opvratimi of the machine further depression of one key if two keys have been de pressed. and means for disabling said arresting means during the operation of the machine.

30. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a main operating mechanism, of a bank of keys one or two of which are capable of being depressed preliminarily to the operation of the machine,

means forv arresting the keys in their depressed positions, and means controlled by the depression of two keys for causing upon operation of the machine further depression otone key.

31-. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a main operating mechanism, of a bank of keys one or two of which are capable of being depressed preliminarily to the operation of the machine, means for arresting the keys in their depressed positions, and normally inoperative means, rendered operative by the depression of two keys for causing further depression of one of the two depressed keys upon operation of the machine.

32. In amachine of the class described, the combination with a main operating mechanism, of a bank of keys one or two of which are capable ofv being, depressed preliminarily to the operation of the machine, means for arresting the keys in their d'epressed positions, normally inoperative means, rendered operative by the depression of two keys for causing further depres sion of one of the two depressed keys upon operation of the machine, and means for disabling said arresting means during the operation of the machine.

33. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a main operating mechanism, of a bank of keys manually alepressible to difi erent positions any two of said keys being operable preliminarily to the operationof the machine, detent means having grooves cooperating with the keys for controlling the extent of depression of the keys the first of two depressed keys beingdepressed further than the second, and. means operated by the main operating mechanism for depressing the. first depressed key still further during the operation of the machine.

34. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a. main operating mechanism, of a bank of keys one or two of which are capable of being, depressed preliminarily to the operation of the machine, means for arresting the keys in their depressed positions, and means for causing upon operation of the machine further depression of the first depressed key if two keys are depressed.

35. In a, machine of the class described, the combination with a main operating mechanism, of a bank of keys any two of which may be depressed manually in any. order preliminarily to the operation of the machine, means for arresting the keys in their depressed positions, and means for causing further depression of one of said depressed keys. the key further depressed being dependent upon the order of manual depression.

36. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a main operating mechanism, of a bank of keys any two of which may be depressed manually in any order preliminarily to the operation of the machine, means for arresting the keys in their depressed positions, and means for causing upon operation of the machine fur ther depression of one of said depressed keys, the key further depressed being de pendent upon the order of manual depression.

37. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a main operating mechanism, of a bank of keys any two of which may be depressed manually in any order preliminarily to the operation of the machine, the keys being depressible. to different positions, means for arresting the keys in their depressed positions, and means for causing further depression of the key which was manually depressed further 38. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a hank of depressible keys any two of which may be depressed in any order, of a detent having two series of grooves, the grooves being so constructed that upon depression of the first key of two depressed keys it cooperates with a corre sponding groove in one of said series to arrest the key and raise the detent so that the grooves of the second series are in cooperative relation with the keys, the grooves of the second series being, constructcd'to move the detent further and lock the second depressed key in depressed position.

39. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a bank of depressihle keys any two of which ma be depressed in any order. of a detent having two series of grooves, the grooves being so constructed that upon depression of the first key of two depressed keys it cooperates with a corresponding groove in one of said series to arrest the key and raise the dctcnt so that the grooves of the second series are in coopcra tive relation with the keys, the grooves of the series being constructed to more the dctent further and lock the second depressed key in depressed position, in which position the second depressed key is not depressed to the same extent. as the first depressed key.

40. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a bank of depressible keys any two of which may be depressed in any order, of a detent having two series of grooves, the grooves being so constructed that upon depression of the first key of two depressed keys it cooperates with a corresponding groove in one of said series to ar rest the key and raise the detent so that the grooves of the second series are in cooperative relation with the keys, the grooves of the series being constructed to move the detcnt further upon operation of the second depressed key and lock the latter in depressed position, and -means controlled by said detcnt for automatically depressing the mechanism, of a bank of keys manually depressible to different positions, any two of said keys being depressible preliminarily to the operation of the machine, detent means moved by the keys and having, grooves. for arresting the keys and for controlling the extent of depression of the latter, means opcrated by the main operating mechanism for depressing one of the manually depressed keys still further, means for retaining said detent means in arresting position, and means operated by the operating mechanism for disabliirt, said retaining means.

13. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a main operating mechanism, of a bank of keys any two of which may be depressed manually in any order preliminarily to the operation of the machine, means for arresting the keys in their depressed positions, and for locking undepresscd keys against operation after two keys have been depressed, and means for causing further depression of one of Said depressed keys, the key further depressed being dependent upon the order of manual depression. w i v 4.4. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a main operating mechanism, of a bank of keys one or two of which are capable ofvbeing depressed preliminarily to the operation of the machine, means for arresting the keys in their dcprcsscd positions and for locking undepressed keys against depression after two keys have been depressed, and means for causing upon operation of the machine fur ther depression of one key if two keys have been depressed.

4-5. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a bank of depressible keys any two of which may be depressed in any order, of a detent having two series of grooves, the grooves being so constructed that upon depression of the first key of two depressed keys it cooperates with a corresponding groove in one of said series to arrest the key and raise the detent so that the grooves of the second series are in co operative relation with the keys, the grooves of the second series being constructed to depress the detent further and lock the second depressed keyin depressed position and the detent-also being constructed to lock undepressed k'e s' against depression after two keys have een depressed.

46. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a bank of keys manually depressible to difierent positions, and a member moved by the keys and having grooves for controlling the extent of depresslon 01 13 18 keys, the member being also constructedto look all but a certain number of keys against depression.

457; a machine of the class described, the combination with a main operating inecl'ianisi'n, of a bank of depressible and arrestable keys, each key representing a digit in a plurality of denominations, accoiint'ihg m'ea'n'srepresenting the same denominations, and differential means for actuating the accounting means upon opera tion of 'the machine and under the control of the bank of keys.

48. Iii a machine of the class described, the combination with a main operating mechanism, of accounting means representing a plurality of denominations, differential means for operating the accounting means, driving means for the differential means, latch means for coupling the driving means and differential means, a bank of depressible'and arrestable keys, each key representing a digit in denominations corresponding to those represented by the accounting means, for operating said latch ineans'and thereby control the accounting means.

49. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a main operating mechanism, of accounting means representing'a plurality of denominations, difi'erential means for operating the accounting means, driving means for the differential means, a plurality of latching mechanisms for coupling the driving means and diiferential means, a bank of (lepressible and arrestable keys, representing denominations corresponding to those represented by the accounting means, for operating said latching mechanisms and thereby control the accounting means.

50. In a machine of the class described, the combination with amain operating mechanism, of accounting means representing aplurality of denominations, differ-ential means for operating the accounting means,'driving means for the differential means, latch means for coupling the driving means and'differential means, a bank of de pressible keys arrestable in different positions and representing denominations corresponding to those represented by-the accounting means, for operating said latch means and thereby control the accounting means.

51. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a main operating mechanism, of a bank of depressible and arrestable keys, one or two of which may be depressed preliminarily to the operation of the machine, and two differential mechanisms constructed to be moved to similar extents under the control of a single depressed key andto different extents under the control of two depressed keys.

52. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a main operating mechanism, of a bank of depressible and arrestable keys, one or two of which may be depressed preliminarily to the operation of the machine, and two diiferental mechanisms constructed to be moved to similar extents under the control of a single depressed key and to different extents under the control of two depressed keys, one differe'ntial mechanism being controlled always by the first depressed key'and the other differential mechanism by the second depressed key.

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature in the presence of two Witnesses.

EDWARD J. VON PEIN. lVitnesses:

F. E. HAMILTON, J. B. RIGKETTS.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the "Commissioner of Ratents.

Washington, n. m- 

